HC Deb 30 March 1998 vol 309 cc431-2W
Mr. Blizzard

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his policy is for the provision of practical help to those who suffer from ME; [35874]

(2) what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated relating to the diagnosis and treatment of ME; and if he will carry out further research into this illness; [35876]

(3) what training programmes (a) have been carried out and (b) are planned to assist doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of ME. [35875]

Ms Jowell

Unfortunately, the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) are not understood, nor is there a generally agreed method of treatment. Treatment to relieve the various symptoms is, therefore, a matter for individual doctors to decide in consultation with their patients. The National Health Service provides a wide range of services to which sufferers from CFS/ME have access, and such patients are seen within a wide range of hospital specialties. Patients can discuss the options available to them with their general practitioner, and they may also request an assessment of their needs by local authority social services departments.

The training of doctors is a matter for the medical schools in collaboration with the General Medical Council's Education Committee, the relevant Medical Royal Colleges (MRC) and, in the case of general practice, the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice. All of these have a vested interest in ensuring that doctors are equipped to deal with the problems they will encounter in practice—both in hospital and in general practice. It is not however practicable or desirable for the Government to prescribe the exact training that any individual doctor will receive.

A number of research projects into ME/CFS have been carried out or are currently underway. These are: The role of noradrenaline in the neuropsychological pathogenesis of the chronic fatigue syndrome (ME)", funded by the MRC and costing £37,000, is being undertaken by Dr. R. K. Morriss at the University of Manchester. Rehabilitation in the chronic fatigue syndrome (ME)—a controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural therapy", now completed and funded by the Department for £59,034. Should General Practitioners manage chronic fatigue syndrome (ME)? A controlled trial", an ongoing research project funded by the NHS Research and Development Programme for £64,433.

The Department has also funded a £65,000 project which considered whether a particular type of psychological treatment was effective in reducing disability in CFS/ME patients and a £60,000 project which is looking at whether general practitioners are best placed to manage CFS/ME patients.

In addition, the NHS Standing Group on Health Technology has recently identified the latest series of priority areas for which it anticipates commissioning primary research or systematic reviews. One of the topics identified is Management Strategies for chronic fatigue syndrome/ME.